HIGHER GROUND

RASMUSSEN

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 168.5/240 (70.2%)

D E N M A R K

LES DOUZE

UK  JURY TOTAL   

82

INTERNATIONAL JURY TOTAL  

86.5

NAME

COMMENT

SCORE

NAME

COMMENT

SCORE

01

Gary

Nothing new here - Scandinavian computer generated pedestrian misery. It hasn’t got a big enough hook to make impact and just doesn’t fly... can’t see it setting the scoreboard alight. 

4.5

Christos

UFFF finally one good song at his year's contest. So epic so strong so amazing...thank you Denmark for supporting this contest so professionally. As the Swedish entry of 2000 is one of my favourites, I declare that we have a potential winner...till now. The most powerful element on him is his face, he is like Erik the viking and his voice is so correct.

8

02

David B

Well bravo Denmark for escaping from your usual anodyne entries. This is much more memorable but not a guaranteed finalist. Rasmussen will need to strengthen his vocal and the arch 'Game of Thrones' stage presentation is dated. Anthemic, catchy in an odd sort of way and a step in the right direction for the Danes.

6.5

Douwe

It cannot be said that the Danish entry in 2018 lacks identity. 'Higher Ground' is very Nordic, dark, epic, dramatic and mysterious and certainly embraces this years theme (ocean/history). Viking folklore in a modern version that awakens memories of Icelandic sagas and fellowship. Indeed it brings to mind Greta & Jónsi's 'Never Forget'. 

6

03

Edward

This is a dramatic and theatrical entry, old fashioned but potentially standing out for that reason.  Viking references and a downward key change deserve nods!  The seafaring theme connects with the Lisbon show. Work on the staging is required to make it truly stand out in a tough semi-final though.

7.5

Roy

Having listened to all 10 songs in their selection, this one was my favourite and I am happy it won. So far the best of the songs selected for 2018 and hope it gets a top 3 placing (do not want to go back to Denmark so soon for Eurovision again).

8.5

04

David E

Loved this from the first moment I heard it. Very reminiscent of Teutonic German man bands like Santiano and Phoenix West. Anthemic and powerful.  I think it’ll qualify and do well. 

9

Roberto

Every song tells a story. Undoubtedly catchy, despite the incisive and powerful sounds, it shows an anthemic trend, in a gloomy/dreamy atmosphere. Very good.

8.5

05

Martin

A very big sound, a saga with a musical triumph, "Higher Ground" requires an epic visual spectacle that it lacked in Aalborg and Rasmussen needs to find the live power that his studio resonance provided.  If those are brought to Lisbon , Denmark will have their best result in years. 

7.5

Mark L

This song is pleasant, in a game of thrones kind of way. As usual Denmark have wheeled out their wind machine, and all in all it should do well Possibly top 10

8

06

Kevin

The Danes are sending a powerful, rousing, nautical song to Lisbon about the legend of viking Magnus Erlendsson who refused to fight but suggested that you could resolve conflicts with words instead. A dramatic song with a powerful message which has the style of a movie soundtrack. I think its a blockbuster.   

9

Daria

Finally Denmark has realized that we are tired of its sweet pop songs. A bit of brutal Vikings always makes Eurovision more interesting. But I do agree it’s a flashback to 2004-2008 years when showing traditions of your country was trendy. 

9

07

Eddie

Enya meets musical theatre! Great anthemic Nordic song sung by a Viking, who has a great voice. For me, I need more from the performance - not so dark and static. But a def qualifier 

8

Jose

Finally Denmark send something that voters will appreciate, since Emelie everything has been grey, this one will be top 10, not my cup of tea anyhow.

6.5

08

Mark M

I really like this, but it needs to be bigger!  Great singer and song.

7.5

Paul C

Didn't like it when I first listen to it, but I have to say that it grew in me. A very "Viking" dark atmosphere, which I like, the staging was ok but not impressed. I'm still not sure if this will qualify.

6

09

Sally-Ann

The sort of desperate measures that Ireland would choose to throw at Eurovision.  Heard so many times before, this boring tune plods along like a military band on weed but don't bet against a good performance making the top ten.

5

Melissa

This was AWESOME... until the key change. It's as if they didn't know what to do to give the song a bit of a 'lift' and just steered the ship into an iceberg. Love the drama and how different it is compared to the usual love/peace pop songs we usually get.

7

10

Matt

I love this as it's a bit retro and reminds me of Eurovision of old.  But more than that, it is dramatic, atmospheric and actually tells a story rather than just loads of 'oohs' and 'come on's!  Plus I love a big ending!

9

Octavio

It's a good anthemic song, but it needs more power and stronger beat.

6

11

Dean

I’m not really getting this.  It’s quite old school Nordic, and it’s not a song I am returning to on my playlist.  Competent but there’s no excitement with this song for me.

5.5

Benedek

I like this song a lot. It is very powerful, I love the pace of the song, the harmonies. I like the mystical stage image. I think Denmark will make the final again and maybe it will score better in televotes then last year. 

7

12

Nico

This is a great formula destined to be a fan favourite and I can really see what they were going for with this, but alas for me it just doesn't get there. Doesn't get to higher ground or really anywhere in fact. 

3

Samantha

Tormund Giantsbane? In all seriousness, this is the most personality we've seen from Denmark in a while. I appreciate how theatrical it is, and its message, but it's just not for me, personally. 

6

  AMAR

  ANDREW

  BENEDEK

  CHRISTOS

  DANNY

  DARIA

  DAVID B

  DAVID E

 2

  DEAN

  DOUWE

  EDDIE

  EDWARD

  ELENA

  FREDERICO

  GARY

  JOE

 0

  JOSÉ

  KEVIN

  LLOYD

  MARK L

  MARK M

  MARTIN

  MATT

  MELISSA

 1

  NICO

  OCTAVIO

  PAUL

  PIA

  ROBERTO

  ROY  

  SALLY-ANN

  SAMANTHA  

 8